cookers

Cookers (also known as spoons) are metal containers where drugs are mixed and dissolved in water.

Drugs can come in a powder, pill or crystal (rock) form but need to become liquid for injecting. Always heat the solution to a boil to dissolve the drug and kill bacteria/ mould/yeast and fungi. Heat the solution by holding a lighter or other heat source beneath the cooker. Let the drug solution cool before injecting.

Cookers are the most commonly shared supply by people who inject drugs.

People are more likely to share cookers or use household items when they cannot get sterile supplies. Items like kitchen spoons, bottle caps or the bottom of pop cans are not sterile. They increase the risk of contaminating the drug solution and/or the needle which can lead to infection. Sharing of cookers can involve the drug solution from one cooker being shared between several people or a used cooker being reused by another person. Reusing or sharing a cooker puts people at risk of blood borne viruses including HIV and hepatitis C and B. Cookers should never be shared or reused.

A cooker for safer injection should:

• Come in a sterile package

• Distribute heat evenly

• Have a heat resistant handle

• Have a flat bottom to avoid tipping

• Not contain harmful products or chemicals that could be released when heated

Cookers available through harm reduction programs may be slightly different in design and material. They are of the same high quality.

Cookers are for single use.

Cookers should be available in a variety of types. People choose cookers for the type of drug and personal preference. Access to sterile cookers reduces use of used or makeshift cookers.

For every needle/syringe given, provide one cooker +one filter + one water ampoule.

Provide cookers in both pre-packaged kits and as individual items. There should be no limit on the number of cookers per person, per visit.

Key Messages

Wash Hands

Always wash hands before handling harm reduction supplies or drugs. If soap and water are not available, use BZK wipes or alcohol swabs. Use a new BZK wipe or alcohol swab to clean the drug preparation surface.

Avoid Sharing

Cookers are for personal use and should not be shared. Sharing them can put people at risk of:

• blood borne viruses like HIV, hepatitis B and C

• bacterial and viral infection

Single Use

A cooker loses its structural stability each time it is heated. For safety, use a new cooker every time.

Cook the Drugs

Always heat drug mixture until it bubbles to kill bacteria/mould/yeast and fungi.

Quickness to boil will depend on your heat source (lighter, torch lighter, candle).

Cool the Drugs

Never inject drugs when they are hot. Cooling the drug solution after it has been heated will help prevent skin burns and damage to veins.

When injecting pills, heating will bring the wax coating to the surface. It can be removed before injecting.

Disposal

Used cookers should be disposed of safely. Please see pages 90-91 for information on safe disposal.

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